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(No Model.) I A. 0., O. H. & J. H.GIPFORD.

GYMNASTIIG APPARATUS.

No. 244,388. Patented July 19,1881.

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UNITED STATES P TENT OFFICE.

AARON o; GIFFORD, CHARLES H. GIFFORD, AND JESSE H. GIFFORD, o

. NEW YORK, N. Y.

GYM NASTIC SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 244,388, dated July 19, 1881,

Application filed December 29, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom 1t may concern Be it known that we, AARON C. GIFFORD, CHARLEs H. GIFFoan, and J ESSE H. GIFFORD, of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in GymnasticApparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawing.

The invention relates to an improvement; in gymnastic apparatus, as hereinafter set forth.

Heretofore in that class of gymnastic appliances known as rowing-machines and pulling-weights a difficulty has been experienced by reason of the fact that the return of the weights exerts a tension upon the operator almost equal to the strain required to draw the same upward. Usually, except in parlor rowing-machines, the weights connected with the arms have been arranged in vertical guides or suspended in a vertical position by ropes or otherwise. When the handles are drawn toward the operator the weights are caused to ascend and act as a resistance to the power applied. After the forward stroke of the handles has been accomplished the return of the weights by their own specific gravity retracts the handles and operates to draw the arms and body of the attendant forward. When heavy weights are employed their return down the guides is so sudden and rapid that the body of the attendant is brought forward so quickly that the chest and other parts are frequently strained in holding in the handles of the machine; besides, it will be observed, there is no relaxation of the muscles, force being required to draw the weights upward, and also to prevent them falling as dead-weights.

To remedy these objections, and to produce a means whereby the weights may have a gradual return without effecting a strain upon the attendant, is the object of our invention.

' This we have partially accomplished by allowin g the weights to travel on inclined tramways; but these only overcome the objections in a limited degree.

In the accompanying drawing we have illustrated the invention, in a side view, of an apparatus that may be employed as either a rowing-machine or for pulling weights.

A indicatesthe base of the apparatus or machine; ]3, an upright; (l, a tramway inclined from near one end of the base .to the upper portion of the upright. D is the Weight resting upon the tramway and secured to the end of a rope, E, which passes upward over a pulley, F, journaled' in the upper end of the upright 0; thence it extends downward under the pulley G and forward a suitable distance to be grasped by the operator.

The devices above referred to are. shown in a patent heretofore granted tons.

Our present improvement consists in providing the rope H and c'ounterpoise I in the manner shown with suflicient accuracy in the drawing. One end of the rope H is attached to the weight D, while the other end passes upward over the pulley a, secured upon the standard or upright G, thence downward along the side thereof a suitable distance, and has attached to its end the counterpoise I. The weight of the counterpoise I will vary according to the wish of the operator and the size of the weight D. The effect of the counterpoise I is to retard the return down the tramways of the weight D, and thereby relieve the strain on the operator caused by holding back 'the'weight, and to prevent the body being weights. A vigorous operator would probably wish but a slight retard of the weight D, and in this case a small counterpoise will be employed, which, of course, will vary according to circumstances, the heft of the weight D, the inclination of thetramways, & c. Fora less robust person it will be desirable to attach a larger counterpoise, in order that the weight D may return gradually and the strain on the operator be entirely relieved. It requires but a slight weight, arranged as shown, to retard the downward movement of the weight D, while on the upward movement it has but a slight effect in reducing the effort necessary to elevate the weight D. We will preferably employ two .weights 1), with two ropes and standards, in order'that both arms may beexercised simultaneously.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 1. In an apparatus for exercising or other purposes,a weight secured to the end of a rope jerked forward by the sudden fall of the,

or chain, and adapted to be elevated or lowimprovement in gymnastic apparatus as above ered by force applied to the rope or chain, in described we have hereunto set our hands this combination with a counterpoise conneotgd 24th day of December, 1880. withthe weight, and traveling in areverse irection thereto, substantially as set forth. B 2. In an exercising apparatus, the weight JESSE 's GIFFORD' D, resting upon the tramways C and attached to the rope E, in combination with the counterpoise I, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing Witnesses:

E. D. GRANT, CHAS. O. GILL. 

